Black Friday shopping can be exhausting experience

November 27, 2010

LEESBURG — Shortly before 6 a.m. Friday, Leroy Clark took a break.

The 44-year-old Eustis resident had been up early — earlier than he cared to remember — to grab "doorbuster" deals at the Mount Dora Walmart and the Lake Square Mall in Leesburg. At the mall, Clark plopped down next to his new luggage, coffee maker and shoes.

"I'm a little exhausted right now," said Clark, as he rested near the J.C. Penney store. "I was excited at first. Then I got here, and I was like, 'Whoa!'"

Clark began Black Friday shopping four years ago when he met his girlfriend, Paula Gilyard.

"She doesn't miss a year," Clark said. "My girlfriend, that's what she does — she shops."

Gilyard was unavailable for comment because she was shopping. For his part, Clark appreciates a good deal: His coffee maker was more than 50 percent off.

"It has its advantages," he said. "We're working on a budget."

But when asked if the couple had plans to visit more stores, Clark chuckled. "I hope not," he said.